Ford Everest GCM Upgrade Review: Is it Worth the Cost for Towing?

Towing a 3.5T caravan with a mid-sized 4WD is a balancing act. Here is why we upgraded our Brand New Ford Everest. before we even picked it up

Why “Sunny” Made Us Do It

When we bought “Sunny,” our 21ft 6 caravan, we knew we were dealing with a substantial rig. Fully loaded with water, food, and our gear for Queensland trip and the Big Lap, Sunny pushes the scales.

While the Ford Everest is a capable towing vehicle on paper, the factory numbers didn’t give us the safety margin we wanted. Once you add the bull bar, the fridge, the roof rack, and two people in the car (plus the ball weight of the van pressing down on the rear axle), we were dangerously close to our legal limits.

We didn’t want to travel Australia constantly looking over our shoulder for a weighbridge or worrying about insurance if the worst happened. We invested in the GCM upgrade for one reason: peace of mind. We wanted to know that even with full tanks and a full fridge, we were 100% legal and safe on the road.

In this post, we’ll share exactly what we learned — from understanding GVM and GCM upgrades to the costs, legal requirements, and suspension options available in Australia. If you’re looking to increase your Ford Everest’s towing capacity or build the ultimate caravan towing setup, our experience might just help you make the right choice.

The Challenge with Stock Ford Everest Weight Ratings

Choosing the right tow vehicle is only half the story — setting it up properly makes all the difference once you’re on the road. After deciding on the Ford Everest Sport V6 as our tow vehicle, we quickly turned our attention to how we could make it even better suited for hauling a 3.2-tonne caravan.

Not sure if your setup is within your GVM and GCM limits? We built a free GVM & GCM Towing Safety Calculator — plug in your numbers and know instantly where you stand.

We wanted a setup that felt stable, compliant with Australian towing laws, and comfortable on everything from bitumen highways to corrugated outback tracks. That’s where the GVM / GCM upgrade came in — and why it became one of the most valuable improvements we’ve made to our Everest.

The factory specifications for payload and towing create a virtually impossible equation to balance. This is especially true when you’re serious about touring or towing a large, heavy caravan across Australia’s diverse landscapes.

Understanding Factory Ford Everest Weight Limitations

The standard 2024 Ford Everest comes with restrictive (ridiculous?) weight ratings that quickly become a massive headache for serious travelers. These factory limitations affect how much you can safely and legally carry.

Table 1: Ford Everest Sport 2024.5 UB – Ford Factory Standard Weights VS Lovells GVM/GCM Upgrade

The stock specifications include:

• Factory GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass): Approximately 3,150kg
• Standard payload capacity: Around 650-750kg depending on the variant
• Factory GCM (Gross Combination Mass): Approximately 6,250kg
• Front axle rating: About 1,470kg
• Rear axle rating: Approximately 1,770kg

These numbers create significant constraints for anyone planning to tow or carry substantial equipment.

Why a Ford Everest GCM Upgrade Became Essential

After loading the basics for our touring adventures, we quickly approached the payload limit. This was before even considering the tongue weight of our caravan.

I hadn’t even got started but just these items alone pushed us beyond the factory payload capacity. Something had to change if we wanted to travel legally and safely.

The GCM Limitation Problem

The Ford Everest GCM upgrade became our primary focus when we realized the factory GCM rating of 6,250kg was our biggest constraint. This limitation meant we couldn’t legally tow our 3,200kg caravan while carrying essential equipment and passengers.

With a stock Everest weighing approximately 2,500kg and a caravan at 3,200kg, this left only 550kg for everything else. This was completely impractical for our towing and touring needs.

The consequences of exceeding these limits could be severe. Potential insurance denial, legal liability, and compromised safety were risks we weren’t willing to take.

Researching Ford Everest GCM Upgrade Solutions

After extensive research across Ford Everest forums and 4WD communities, one solution consistently emerged. A professional suspension upgrade could legally increase both GVM and GCM ratings.

I needed something that would:

• Provide a substantial GCM increase
• Offer improved payload capacity
• Maintain complete legal compliance
• Enhance vehicle stability when towing
• Preserve insurance validity

The research led me to Lovells Automotive Systems components, with installation by Superior Engineering. This combination was repeatedly recommended by experienced Ford Everest owners.

Key Considerations for a Ford Everest GCM Upgrade

Not all suspension upgrades are created equal. The critical factor was finding a certified Second Stage Manufacturer who could legally increase the GCM rating.

Superior Engineering offered this compliance alongside quality Lovells components designed specifically for the 2024 Ford Everest platform. Their comprehensive upgrade would fix all our problems and concerns and make sure we stayed legal at all times.

The Ford Everest GCM Upgrade Process

The installation process at Superior Engineering was thorough and professional. The entire upgrade took approximately two full days to complete properly.

The comprehensive Ford Everest GCM upgrade included:

Front Suspension Components

The front suspension received significant upgrades to handle increased loads:

• Heavy-duty Lovells coil springs with higher load ratings
• Enhanced gas shock absorbers with increased capacity
• Reinforced strut mounts for improved durability

Rear Suspension Components

The rear suspension modifications were equally substantial:

• Progressive rate coil springs with significantly higher load capacity
• Long-travel gas shock absorbers designed for consistent performance
• Reinforced mounting points for improved strength

The Remarkable Results: Ford Everest GCM Upgrade Specifications

The transformation in our Ford Everest’s capabilities was remarkable. The improved specifications provided exactly what we needed for our touring adventures.

Table 2: Ford Everest Factory Standard Weights VS Lovells GVM/GCM Upgrade

Table 3: Ford Everest – Axle Weights Before And After Lovells Upgrade

These improvements meant better weight distribution and more balanced carrying capacity.

Legal Compliance: A Critical Aspect of Ford Everest GCM Upgrade

One of the most valuable aspects of our Ford Everest GCM upgrade was the complete legal compliance. The modification was classified as a Second Stage of Manufacture upgrade.

This compliance meant:

1. A new secondary compliance plate was installed
2. All documentation was provided for registration authorities
3. Our insurance remained valid (Club 4×4) with the upgraded ratings
4. We could travel with confidence knowing we were completely legal

Superior Engineering handled all aspects of the compliance process. This included providing all necessary documentation for both registration and insurance purposes.

Table 4: Lovells Suspension Upgrade – Key Numbers Summary

Real-World Benefits of Our Ford Everest GCM Upgrade

The theoretical benefits of increased weight ratings are one thing. The practical improvements in real-world performance are quite another.

Enhanced Stability and Handling

The most immediate benefit was improved vehicle stability. Even when fully loaded with gear and towing our caravan, the Everest maintained proper ride height and balance.

Crosswinds and passing trucks no longer caused concerning sway. The upgraded suspension components provided significantly better damping characteristics in all conditions.

Improved Towing Confidence

Towing our caravan became a completely different experience. The enhanced Ford Everest GCM upgrade meant we could legally carry everything we needed without constant weight anxiety.

The improved suspension prevented the common “porpoising” effect that many experience when towing. Cornering stability was also notably enhanced, providing greater confidence in all driving situations.

Superior Load Carrying Capacity

The increased payload capacity transformed our packing approach. We no longer needed to obsessively weigh every item or make difficult decisions about what to leave behind.

This freedom allowed us to carry appropriate supplies for extended remote travel. Water, food, recovery gear, and comfort items could all be included without concern.

Body Lift

An aspect that is rarely talked about is the benefit of a 40 to 50mm body lift that comes with the suspension upgrade. It’s not promoted or promised but most people with this upgrade have all welcomed the additional clearance from the suspension lift.

It does vary from vehicle make and model but we ended up with a 45 mm increase and are very happy with it.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Our Ford Everest GCM Upgrade

The Ford Everest GCM upgrade represented a significant investment of over $7,000. This included all components, labor, and compliance documentation.

However, when compared to alternatives, the value becomes clear:

• Buying a larger vehicle: Would cost from $30,000 to god knows what for a big fully optioned American truck
• Traveling overloaded: Unsafe with the risk of insurance denial and legal penalties by the revenue focussed Australian Police
• Downsizing equipment: Would compromise safety and comfort

The improved resale value and extended component life also offset some of this cost.

Sadly I have been unable to sell or even give away the original suspension which only had 27 klm’s on it when swapped out. If you know anyone looking for standard Ford EVerest Next Gen front struts or rear coil speings, let me know in the comments.

Maintenance Considerations After Ford Everest GCM Upgrade

Maintaining the upgraded suspension system is essential for long-term performance. Our new maintenance schedule includes:

1. Regular shock absorber inspections every 10,000km
2. Checking suspension bolts after the first 1,000km and at 10,000km intervals
3. More frequent wheel alignments (every 20,000km)
4. Monitoring brake pad wear more closely

Superior Engineering provided a comprehensive maintenance guide specifically for our upgraded components. This has proven invaluable for keeping everything performing optimally.

Conclusion: The Ford Everest GCM Upgrade Transformed Our Touring Experience

The decision to upgrade our 2024 Ford Everest’s GCM and suspension capabilities has completely transformed our touring experience. What was once a source of constant stress has become a confident, capable setup that handles everything we demand.

The increased GCM rating means we can now tow our caravan with confidence. We know we’re fully compliant with all regulations and our insurance remains valid.

Now that the car is legal, we are confidently towing Sunny to places like the iconic Nindigully Pub and Lotus Creek without worry.

Most importantly, the enhanced stability, handling, and braking performance provide invaluable peace of mind. Our Ford Everest GCM upgrade has effectively created the vehicle Ford should have built for serious tourers in the first place—capable, compliant, and comfortable regardless of the load it carries.

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Have you upgraded your Ford Everest’s suspension or GCM rating? Share your experience in the comments below. If you’re considering an upgrade and have questions, feel free to ask—I’m happy to share more details about our specific setup and experience.